President’s Message

Dear SLMA Members,

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has been actively engaged in a range of activities in the first two months of this year. Clinical meetings, Expert Committee meetings, and follow-up actions have kept the Council members and staff engaged and occupied. However, the most significant among these activities is the proactive measure taken by the SLMA to address the dire issue that is currently affecting the healthcare sector, namely the acute shortage of essential medicines, reagents, and devices.

During the inaugural session of the Sri Lanka Medical Association's (SLMA) Council for 2023, an exhaustive discussion was held on the matter of insufficiencies of pharmaceuticals, reagents, and equipment. The President-elect and various Council members expounded upon the factual situation concerning drug availability and the severe improprieties that transpired during the Ministry of Health's drug procurement process. The Council arrived at a consensus that this predicament must take precedence as SLMA's foremost objective at the outset of the year.

Following such extensive deliberations, a decision was made to address His Excellency the President as an initial step. This action was followed by a press conference to generate public awareness and interest and to make aware of the gravity of the situation and the vital role the Public can play in mitigating its impact. We have received great feedback from the health fraternity as well as from the public.

The letter addressing SLMA’s concerns was sent to HE President on the 16th of January 2023, detailing the urgency of the issue and possible remedial action that includes the importance of involving medical fraternity and representatives of Colleges when making deliberations as well as action. The response was merely forwarding the letter to the Secretary of Health. Despite the concerted efforts of the SLMA and the Intercollegiate Committee to resolve the issue, no tangible progress has been made thus far. Apart from the said interventions, SLMA has officially corresponded with the Ministry of Health and its top officials on matters pertaining to medical supplies and related shortages on several occasions. This prolonged shortage has become a significant concern for the SLMA and Colleges, affecting the healthcare system's ability to deliver essential services effectively. It will only deteriorate the health situation of the country and will harm the positive action as well as the excellence that had been achieved by the Public Health sector over the years. Moreover, the condition is affecting our medical and health care professionals working and dealing with the reality at the very point of delivery. Amidst deteriorating conditions and distress, they continue to serve their patients trying their best to deliver health care. Therefore, the crisis at hand is not only affecting at the patient level but to the health care system in its entirety and requires holistic action and responses in the months and years to come.

Parallelly to engaging with the Executive, Government and at Official capacities, the SLMA and the Intercollegiate Committee have also deliberated deeply in legal remedy in the form of public interest litigation. This will solely be at the interest of our own citizens and our medical and health care fraternity.

In conclusion, the shortage of medical supplies in Sri Lanka is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention and remedial action. The SLMA and the Intercollegiate Committee have been actively engaging with the Ministry of Health and raising public awareness. It is imperative that these efforts translate into tangible progress, as the healthcare system in Sri Lanka relies heavily on the availability of essential medical supplies to serve the people. Access to adequate healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen, and it is the responsibility of the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that this right is protected.

As an organization committed to the advancement of healthcare in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) remains steadfast in its commitment to monitor, advocate, and support efforts aimed at addressing the critical shortage of essential medical supplies in the country. We call upon all stakeholders within the healthcare sector, as well as members of the public, to join us in our efforts to bring about positive change. It is only through our collective action that we can hope to achieve a healthcare system that is adequately equipped to meet the needs of its people and promote the overall health, prosperity, and equity of our society.

Dr Vinya Ariyaratne President - SLMA